Governor Cuomo Signs Advanced Home Health Aide Bill

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has just signed into law a bill that will allow advanced home health aides (AHHAs) to perform certain routine tasks, with training and supervision, that will facilitate continued care and support of loved ones at home.

The bill, which was championed by Senator Kenneth LaValle, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and the leadership of the State Senate and Assembly, enables AHHAs who are specifically trained to now administer routine or pre-filled medications and to help with medical equipment.

"This is a victory for all New Yorkers with Alzheimer's disease and their 1.1 million caregivers," said Jane Ginsburg, Executive Director of the Coalition of New York State Alzheimer's Association Chapters. "Alzheimer's is a public health crisis, and we applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for supporting this effort to keep New Yorkers at home."

Many people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia receive long-term services and supports from home health aides and personal care aides to help with tasks of daily life. Having an AHHA will also allow more people with dementia to remain at home and age in place longer, and will likely save hundreds of millions in New York State Medicaid dollars annually.

Nearly one in every three seniors who dies every year has Alzheimer's or another dementia. Currently, Alzheimer's costs Medicaid more than $4 billion in New York State each year. By 2025, it is estimated that more than 460,000 New Yorkers aged 65 or older will suffer from Alzheimer's or other dementias, an increase of nearly 18 percent from today.

"This important legislation will allow the more of the 390,000 New Yorkers with Alzheimer's disease and dementia to remain at home, where they are more comfortable in familiar surroundings," noted Christopher Smith, Executive Director of the NYC Chapter. "Unpaid family members and caregivers are often asked to help with tasks like giving medication, which can be challenging for them, forcing loved ones to make an unwanted move into a nursing home."

Alzheimer's is a long-term, progressive disease that attacks the brain, killing nerve cells and tissue and affecting an individual's ability to remember, think and plan. Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease. There is no treatment or cure, and it is always fatal.

Coalition of New York State Alzheimer's Association ChaptersThe Coalition of New York State Alzheimer's Association Chapters is the only statewide organization advocating for all New Yorkers affected by Alzheimer's disease and dementia. For more than 30 years, the Coalition's seven New York state chapters have provided care consultations, consumer and professional education programs, a 24-hour Helpline, safety services and support groups. Together with our statewide network of Association Chapters, the Coalition strives to create a world without Alzheimer's.Visit alznys.org.

Alzheimer's AssociationThe Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900.